Erebus Motorsport has ended conjecture over what marque it will race in 2016 by confirming it will switch to Walkinshaw Racing-built Commodores.

The squad announced it has formed a relationship with Holden after it was reported late last year that it had been in customer talks with the Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Racing.

After campaigning Mercedes-Benz machinery since the Car of the Future era began several seasons ago, Erebus has decided to garage the AMG-based program.

“Holden has proved its competitiveness in the sport again and again,” team matriarch Betty Klimenko said.

“Erebus has experienced success, but with the switch to Holden combined with our experienced team personnel in Barry Ryan and Campbell Little, and David Reynolds behind the wheel, we have every chance to win more often.”

Erebus had struggled to continue development on the Benz fighters after seeing its former drivers Lee Holdsworth (2014) and Will Davison (2015) each recording single race wins.

The team has undergone a huge off-season transformation, shedding staff and closing its Queensland workshop ahead of fielding an all-new driver line-up for 2016 in David Reynolds and Aaren Russell.

Reynolds, who will drive the #9 Penrite-backed entry, says it is a logical move.

“I made my V8 Supercars debut in a Commodore, but since I last raced a Holden the series moved into the Car Of The Future era,” Reynolds said.

“Since then, the VF Commodore has proven to be the car of choice and I see the change to Holden as a positive for Erebus Motorsport.

“I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of a Commodore and together with Erebus growing a strong relationship with Holden.”

An announcement from Plus Fitness has cited a contractual dispute between the Russell camp and Erebus as the reason for the split.

Erebus had been running Russell under its second Racing Entitlements Contract this year in a deal that saw the Novocastrian bring his sponsor and an ex-Walkinshaw chassis to the table.

The contractural dispute is understood to centre around payments for the preparation of the car, which is run alongside Erebus’ main entry for David Reynolds.

Erebus’ deal with the Russells is said to include a provision for the team to continue to use the Holden for the remainder of the year in the event of a contract termination.

With the REC rules requiring Erebus to field the entry at this weekend’s Coates Hire Ipswich Super Sprint, the team is currently in talks with other sponsors and drivers that can take over from Russell.

Dunlop Series runner Shae Davies, who is already scheduled to co-drive the car in the Pirtek Enduro Cup, is strongly tipped to step in.

The 25-year-old is yet to start a Supercars Championship race, but has extensive experience in the Dunlop Series and Carrera Cup and has previously linked with Erebus in Australian GT.

The split with the Russells follows a fracas between Erebus owner Betty Klimenko and Plus Fitness boss John Fuller over a sponsorship activation being undertaken in the Townsville paddock.

Stressing the company’s support for the Russells, Plus Fitness’ statement said that the Townsville disagreement contributed to the withdrawal.

“Plus Fitness Racing has decided to withdraw its sponsorship with AR Racing and car #4 from the 2016 Supercar Championship due to ongoing contractual disputes between AR Racing and Erebus Motorsports,” read the statement.

“AR Racing (The Russell’s) informed John Fuller from Plus Fitness of their decision to terminate the arrangement with Erebus therefore as their main Sponsor Plus Fitness have decided to support The Russell’s actions and also withdraw.

“A key determining factor for Plus Fitness in sponsoring a Rookie Driver in a Low Ranking Team was to rely on back of garage track activations.

“Plus Fitness have been restricted from doing this due to factors outside of their control and for reasons they believe are due to the relationship between AR Racing and Erebus Motorsport.

“This has also impacted on their decision to withdraw.

“Plus Fitness Racing is currently reviewing its commercial arrangements with Erebus and car #9 and driver David Reynolds will remain a Plus Fitness Brand Ambassador for the remainder of the 2016 season.

“Plus Fitness Racing is committed to its involvement in Motorsport and is currently looking at options for the remainder of the season and beyond.”

Speedcafe.com has learned that Baird, who will turn 46 on Friday, has received an 11th hour call-up after the split between the Russells and Erebus on Monday.

The Kiwi had already been scheduled to co-drive Erebus’ #9 Holden alongside David Reynolds in the Pirtek Enduro Cup.

While Russell’s co-driver Shae Davies had been tipped as the leading contender to takeover the #4 seat, the team has opted for the experience of Baird as it continues to develop its ex-Walkinshaw equipment.

Erebus will continue to field the Holden brought to the team by the Russells at the start of the season alongside its own.

Baird’s drive is however understood to be a one-off, with Erebus’ plans beyond Queensland Raceway currently unclear.

Baird has 164 Supercars Championship starts to his name, the most recent of which came with Erebus at the 2014 Gold Coast 600.

His Supercars debut came at Queensland Raceway back in 1999, where he drove the #4 entry then operated by Erebus’ predecessor Stone Brothers Racing.

Baird’s most recent single-driver Supercars event start came at Symmons Plains in 2006, where he drove for Craig Gore’s WPS Racing.

A five-time Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion, Baird stepped back from driving in the one-make class this season.

He has instead focussed on his Australian GT duties, where he co-drives Scott Taylor’s Erebus-prepared Mercedes AMG.

Davies will be behind the wheel of the Erebus Holden for Friday’s co-driver session before Baird takes over for the remainder of the weekend.